Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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Hong Kong Security Law Prompting International Organizations To Consider
Relocating

VOA News

   Thecontroversialnational security law imposed by China on Hong Kong has
   broughtdeep concern amongits robust civil societyand non-governmental
   organizations who use the territory asregionalhub,prompting some to
   relocate their staff while others fear over their fate under the new
   legislation.

   After Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997, the "one country two
   systems" formula allowed its freewheeling civil society, including many
   international and domestic NGOs, to continue operating. But the
   national security law passed on July 1, dubbed the "second handover,"
   is causing jitters in the non-profit sector.

   Many nonprofit groupssay theyare worried about being implicated by the
   law, which aims to "prevent, suppress and impose punishment" for
   secession, subversion, terrorism and "collusion with a foreign country
   or with external elements to endanger national security."

   The authorities have emphasized the need for a sweeping law to stamp
   out Hong Kong's yearlong anti-government protests,which have often
   turned violent. On Monday, ChineseAmbassador to the U.S.Cui Tiankai
   insisted that the law will make Hong Kong's business environment "more
   stable and secure." Chinese officials have said the law was intended to
   act as a "deterrent" and hang over potential troublemakers "like the
   sword of Damocles."

   The lawappears tohaveachieved its aim to intimidate.

   At least one international NGO has movedallits workers out of Hong Kong
   while others are planning to shift some of their operations abroad.
   Some NGO workers have resigned while others have moved abroad or
   soughtto relocate. Those who have decided to stay in Hong Kong,for
   now,say theymusttread a fine line when doing their work to avoid
   falling afoul of the law,which has broad and vague definitions of
   security crimes. All of those who spoke to the VOA declined to be
   identified for fears of retribution from the authorities.

   "It's a really difficult time for many NGOs," a veteran human rights
   worker said. "We don't know how this law will be implemented and to
   what extent they will use it. Everyone is really nervous."

   NGO workers say clauses in the law, particularly those that criminalize
   "conspiring" with or receiving instructions, funding or support from
   foreign countries or organizations, make them particularly vulnerable.
   Groups that have advocated democratization or have criticized the
   dictatorial nature of the Chinese Communist Party also run the risk of
   being found guilty of "altering by unlawful means the legal status" of
   the regime, or "inciting hatred" towards the Chinese or Hong Kong
   governments, as stated in the law.

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